August 15, 2025

Last Days of Summer

While the summer season won't be officially done until late September, school starts next week so the summer social season is shifting. Tam Valley Elementary has gotten a huge facelift and is almost ready to welcome students back next week. We do have some difficult news to share about Tia's program with changes looming, but we are doing all we can to find a solution that honors the amazing program Tia has built and run for so many decades. See below for more info and we will keep you posted as we know more.

We are still in the process of getting our Use Permit approved for 305 Bell Lane and now have an appeal that was filed. See below for more info. We are so grateful for all the support that has been showed during this process.

Enjoy these beautiful days in the Valley and join us next week at Creekside Unplugged for local band, The Fogburners, and say "hello" to your friends and neighbors as we all gather again for this sweet, summer concert series.

Wishing you a safe and joy filled weekend!



Special Board Meeting Summary

At the August 13^th meeting, the Board considered the following matters:

• Received a presentation from CMG Landscape Architecture (CMG) regarding the Cabin Masterplan. CMG provided the Board with its initial site observations and analysis. The meeting was held specifically at the Cabin so the Board and Parks & Recreation Commission could tour the site with CMG. The Board provided general policy/program direction to CMG. CMG plans to hold an “open house” at the Sept. 5th Creekside Unplugged to solicit community input on the Cabin masterplan.
• Reappointed Commissioners Rosenblatt and Jordan to the Parks & Recreation Commission (PARC).
• Received an oral report from PARC on its activities
• Receive monthly and year-end financial reports as well as the 4th quarter Treasurer’s report.
• Approved the job description and salary schedule for Recreation and Events Coordinator classification. This will be a new part-time position.
• Approved the restated and amended 2025 Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP). The State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) requires all sanitary agencies to update their SSMP’s every six years. A SSMP is a document that outlines how a public agency manages, operates, and maintains its sanitary sewer system. Its primary purpose is to minimize the occurrence of sewer spills and protect public health and the environment. 
• Adopt updated Environmental Practices and Purchasing Policy to include the paper procurement requirements (e.g., recycled paper content) under SB1383 (state law).

Read the agenda here.

Use Permit for 305 Bell Lane Appealed to the Marin County Board of Supervisors

As you may know, TCSD was required to obtain a use permit in order to conduct two (2) Debris Days and one Household Hazardous Waste Day (HHWD) each year. The Deputy Zoning Administrator (DZA) approved the use permit at DZA June 16th hearing. However, Mr. Gervais (303 Bell Lane) appealed the decision to the Marin County Planning Commission. 

At the public hearing on August 4th, the Planning Commission denied the appeal and sustained the DZA approval. However, Mr. Gervais has appealed the Planning Commission (PC) decision to the Marin County Board of Supervisors (BOS). 

No meeting date for the appeal to the BOS has been set yet. When we know the day and time of the meeting, we will post it on the TCSD website and include in the weekly e-newsletter. Please note that it is highly unlikely that the BOS will consider this matter in time for TCSD to hold a Debris Day in October.

All the background information and County staff reports can be accessed by clicking the links below.

Thank you for all the community support for the use permit. 

Click here for the County staff report to the Planning Commission

Attachment 2 contains the appeal to the PC

Attachment 3 contains the staff report to the DZA

Attachment 4 contains the TCSD responses to Mr. Gervais’s written comments

Click here for more background and to read the appeal to the Board of Supervisors

Tia's After School Program

TCSD has had to make significant changes to Tia’s after school program. This program change was required after discussions with the School District in June. Specifically, the School District discussed the need for TCSD to demonstrate that the program can meet state requirements for aftercare programs and that a new MOU is required between the School District and TCSD. We agreed that program changes were needed to ensure compliance with state law which was a requirement of the School District.

Towards that end, we recognized that Tia, even with TCSD’s assistance, would not be able to operate the program to ensure compliance with the School District and state requirements. However, we have been working to find an operator that we believe can offer a similar program to Tia’s at Tam Valley Elementary School. This operator has agreed to include Tia in their program and, has almost completed its due diligence. However, due to the short time frame, we were unable to have the program available for the beginning of the school year that would satisfy the School District’s requirements and state law.

We will keep the community informed as this plan evolves. We are hopeful that a program could be able mid to late September.

For more information, please refer to the two letters that TCSD has tried to distribute to the parents of children in the program.

Click here for more info.

Creekside Unplugged Merch

We are so happy to be offering Creekside merchandise this year! Take a look at what we have available, order your favorites and know that you are supporting us having more fun events! Any and all profits will be put into our events and programs.

Click here to see the store and get your gear!



TRASH TALK

Your Recycling Questions, Answered!

This week I received some great questions about recycling as well as compost:

Dear Abbie,

I have the following questions regarding waste sorting:

I'm under the impression that as far as current technology goes, only plastic containers labeled as 1 or 2 are capable of being recycled. Is that true, and if so, should we be placing all others in the brown trash cans?

• The numbers 1 and 2 are the easiest plastics to recycle. While there is a possibility that 1’s and 2’s can be reused for a different plastic product they can never be remade into their original product. Most 1 or 2 plastics can only be recycled a few times and even when they are it requires new plastic material to be added each time. Glass and aluminum on the other hand can be infinitely recyclable. It is best to avoid plastics when you can because even though they can be recycled they will eventually end up in the landfill. 

Are milk cartons and other similar sorts of carton containers (such as soy milk, broths, etc.) recyclable?

• Milk cartons are not recyclable, any other containers that have plastic lining are also not recyclable. This would include soy milk and broth cartons. They also cannot be added to the compost, due to the thin layer of plastic that makes them waterproof. The best option for milk is to purchase reusable glass containers and then return them to the store for a credit. Milk companies like Strauss Creamery reuse their bottles over and over, creating much less waste.

How do we determine whether the usually white or brown take-out food containers with waxy interiors are compostable? 

• Most takeaway boxes have a interior that looks waxy but is actually plastic based making them unable to be recycled. It is possible some businesses may have boxes that can go in a compost bin, similar to a pizza box. The best way to identify this is to see if there is any lining on the inside and oftentimes if there is not you will see the box start to get wet, soggy or stained on the bottom.

Dear Abbie

Hello! My name is Abbie Sanger and I am a Climate Corps Fellow working at TCSD. My fellowship is focused on Senate Bill 1383, the bill that mandated that all organic waste is put into the green waste bin to be turned into compost. My goal is to not just help TCSD be in compliance with the law, but to also find ways to improve how our residents sort their waste. 

Education surrounding waste sorting can very be confusing! That is why I am here to answer any questions you have about what can/can’t be recycled, what goes in which bin, and any other trash, recycling, or green waste related questions. 

My email is climate@tamcsd.org please email me with any and all waste questions! I will respond directly to you and it is possible your question will be featured in the newsletter to help educate other residents. 

I am excited to hear from you soon!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Creekside Unplugged

August 22nd

The Cabin

60 Tennessee Valley Road

Join us next week for The Fogburners at the Cabin. We'll have face painting, picnic tables, room to spread out your blanket for a picnic and a great group of friends and neighbors. Come on down!

Things to remember:

• Pack a picnic or head into Tam Junction for some delicious food to go! Click here for a list of the wonderful options nearby.
• Bring layers! Even though we get more sun at the Cabin, it's still chilly. Bring warm things so everyone is happy!
• Order your merch so you can show your Creekside pride! Click here for our shop on Printful.
• Chair or blanket if you want your own spot but we have lots of picnic tables and some extra benches that we can move into the sunny spots!
• Come have fun! We are a little over halfway through the series and we still have lots of great music coming up!

Get more info here

Oktoberfest - SAVE THE DATE

September 20th

3-8pm

Tam Valley Community Center

Save the date for this much anticipated community event - we will have games for the kids, corn hole contests, authentic German band and of course....BEER!

Keep an eye out for tickets - coming soon! And save the date so you can join your friends and neighbors to celebrate the fall season (with our best weather!) and kick up your heels under the giant tent!

We needs volunteers to help with ticket sales, food and the bar! Email Camille at events@tamcsd.org if you would like to help out!

RESOURCES

Marin's Annual Wildfire Prevention Festival

Sept 6th

10am-4pm

Marin County Fairgrounds

FREE

Ember Stomp invites the whole community to learn how we can all prepare for wildfire. This FREE event is fun for the entire family. The festival includes fire smart landscaping and home hardening exhibits, live burn demonstrations, wildfire products and service providers, a kid zone, music, art, great food and fire fighting goats and sheep that guarantee a good time. New this year, a voluntary, self-paced evacuation drill ending at Ember Stomp! 

Learn more here.

Wildfire Risk Home Evaluations Return – Zone 4

The threat of wildfires can be a source of concern, and we want to reassure you that the Southern Marin Fire District and Marin Wildfire are here to support you. Together, we are dedicated to empowering you to reduce the risk of wildfires through home hardening and defensible space evaluations of your property—see the maps of Almonte, Green Glen and Montford to view the areas being served. Once the inspection has occurred, be sure to open your Risk Report!

Click here for more information.

Chipper Days

The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) is providing FREE chipping service for most areas in Marin County six times in 2025. 

Marin Wildfire is providing this service to residents within the Southern Marin Fire District's service area, which includes Tam Valley, as well as to those residents within the jurisdiction of other MWPA member agencies.



Click here to learn more.

It is an honor to bring you the news of Tam Valley each week. If you have any questions about our newsletter, want to see something included or would like more information about our events, please reach out to me at events@tamcsd.org.



Camille

Communications & Events Coordinator